Vulcanizer



F. J. SHOOK Feb. 28,1933.

VULCANIZER Filed June 10 1927 4 Sho'ets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR [034m J: S nc/r. BY M A TTOTNE Y5 F J. SHOCK Feb. 28, 1933.

VULCANIZER 22 l! I ll IHIIIIIHIIII A TTORNEYS.

F. J. SHOCK- Feb; 28, 1933.

VULCANIZER Filed June 10 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 0mm 1 Sim/c ATTORNEYS F. J. SHOOK Feb. 28, 1933.

VULCANI ZER Filed June 10, 1927 '4- 'Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR flown/v J'. $900k.

A TTORNEYS.

. tires, tubes or the like and is designed to af-i Patented Feb. 28, .1933;

nnrrsn STATES T T osrics FLORAIN .JJsHoomor AKRON, 01110, nssronon, B Y ivrnsivnns'sienmnnrsw'ro NA-1 TIONAL RUBBER MACHINERY, COMPANY, or AKRON, onio,

OHIO

VULQANIZER' The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the vulcanization of automobile ford a simple and easily operated device by which the vulcanizer can be opened and closed mechanically. The apparatus also includes means for locking the vulcanizer in closed position both about its outer circumference and about the inner circumference or center of the vulcanizer.

The object of the invention is to construct a form of vulcanizer of the type in which one of the sections ishinged relative tothe other, the sections being provided with a rotary locking or clamping ring about one of the sections adapted to engage the other the finished article.

canizers,

and thereby lock the sections together. Associated with the ring is a. device by which the movable or swinging section will be moved away from the stationary section at. the termination of the unlocking movement. Also associated with'the actuating mechanism for the locking ring is a clamp or lock at the center of the vulcanizer, by which the inner circumference of. the vulcanizer is firmly locked together, thereby preventing. the appearance of excessive rind or overflow about the inner as well as the outer periphery of The device has been illustrated for the purpose of curing inner tubes by the molded process bags, beads, or other circular objects may be merits only being changed. It is also to be noted that while the sections areshown as constituting complementary mold members, heated by steam chambers about the mold, these elements maybe utilized as hot plates or, platens merely. t will also be noted that while a horizontal type of vulcanizer is shown, the principles of the invention may be embodied in vertical or watch case vulor in any other position as may be I suggested to those skilled in the art.

While the description to be given and the drawings accompanying this application'are (p. 'to detailed so that the invention maybe fully and completely described, it will be appreciated that changes and modifications may "prised of outer andinner but it will be apparent that tires, air

15 and the upper shell 9' 1927. Serial No. 197,854.

A fconronarion or be made therein'without departure from the strued as liberally as ispossible consistent with their language and intent.

In'the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vulcanizer in closed condition;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing thevulcanizer'opened;

Figure 3 is a front elevatioma portion of the vulcanizer being in. section; 1

Figure 4 is canizer showing position; and g Figure 5 is a detail of the inner locking mechanism showing its three positions.

The vulcanizer is supported upon a base 1 to the top of which is bolted a stationary vulcanizer section 2. This section comprises a lower shell 3 and an outer shell 1 bolted together so as to provide a chamber 5 for the circulation of steam The upper face of the shell 4 is formed with a cavity 6 which constitutes a side ofthe cavity mold for the arti cle.. The movable section 8 is similarlycombolted together and enclosing a steam chamber ,13,the inner shell having a cavity 11 in the face thereof, complementary to the cavity 6. As was noted in theopening portion of this specification, the showing of the tube mold constituted by the cavities the light of i the prior-art, and are, therefore,cto be con,

a section through the vul-' the sections thereof in locked shells 9 and 10- 6 and 11 is solely for the purposes of illustration, the: invention not being restricted tothe molding.

of tubes or to the provision of any cavities on the facesof the stationary and movable sections, It-will also be appreciated that the articles to be vulcanized may be varied by the substitution of other shells for the shells 4 and 10. p

' The lower shell 3 is formed with brackets with brackets 16 which are hinged together by a pin 17 so that s the upper sectionmay move about the pin 17 as a center. In some aspects of my invention be hinged together but may be movable relatively to one another in any manner.

On the shell 3 are formed bearing surfaces 20 at suitable intervals about the shell and to these'surfaces are secured lu s 21 havin a C overhangin projecting, locking surfaces 22,

D which are wedge-shaped as shown partlcularly in Figure 2.

The upper or movable vulcanizer section or,

specifically,the shell 9 is provided with hearing surfaces 25 on wh ch is carried the rotary locking ring 26 to which are secured a plurality of depending clampinglugs 27equal in number to the lugs 21, and designed to mate with the surfaces 22, the lugs 27 being formed with correspondingly wedge-shapedlocking surfaces 28. It will be notedat this point, that in vulcanizers of this general type heretofore in use, the locking ring has universally been carried upon the stationary section, while in the present construction the locking ring is carried upon the swinging or movable section. The purpose and object of this change will be apparent from the de scription to follow. i

On the locking ring is formed a short rack 30. of suflicient length to secure a full throw of the locking ring from locked to unlocked position. Extending across the top of the movable vulcanizer section in alignment with the rack is ashaft 32,rotatable in bearings 33 formed in the upper surface of the shell 9. This shaft is also supported n bearings 35 carried by a plate 36 located at the center of the movable section and bolted to the shells as shown at 57. To the projecting ends of the shaft are keyed arms 40 and 41,'the former being located over the rack 30 andhaving a sector shaped extension 42 which is provided with teeth 43 mating with the rack. The sector is also provided with an extension 44 which strikes against the ring and limits movement of the sector and rack in the opening direction. A second stop 44 is provided 7 at the opposite side of the apparatus.

To the arms 40 and 41 are pivoted links 45 which extend toward the base of the machine and are p-ivotally connected with arms 48 secured to and movable bya shaft 49 mounted in bearings 50 in the base of the machine- At the central point in the shaft 49 is keyed the.

yoke 52 which is connected at its outer end to a piston 53 actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 54 swivelled at 55 in the base of the machine, at the rear thereof. Fluid pressure is admitted to the upper and lower sides of the piston through a valve 56 controlled by a hand lever 57. i

The operation of the apparatus to the ex tent described may briefly be set out as follows. The vulcanizer being closed and locked as shown in .s igures l and 3, fluid pressureis admitted to the under side of the piston and as this rises the shaft 49 is rocked which, through the links 45, rocks theshaft 32 and i and holds the sector 43. The movement of the sector 43 rotates thering until the lugs 27 have become disengaged from the lugs 21. This movement continues until the stops 44 and 44 strike the ring 26 and arrest further movement of the ring, but the operation of the piston will be translated into a vertical movement of the whole upper section about the pivot 17. On reversal of the piston, the weight of the upper section will lower it upon the lower section and the ring will be rotated by movement of the section 42 until the two sections are locked tightly together by the engaging wedge surfaces. The arrangement is such as to provide limited lost motion between the movable vulcanizer section and the mechanism for moving the same, both in the opening and closing of the vulcanizer, the locking mechanism being operated, by virtue of the lost motion, and during the interval thereof. This apparatus constitutes a simple, effective and quick operating mechanism for unlocking and opening the vulcanizer by a single movement of the piston.

In addition to locking the outer periphery of the vulcanizer, it is often desirable to lock the inner portion of the vulcanizer so as to prevent-the formation of a rind or overflow about the inner and outer divisional lines of the mold.

At the center of the vulcanizer and between the bearings 35 there are keyed to the shaft 32 arms 60 which are upright when the vulcanizer is locked. In the ends of the arms 60 is located a cross shaft 61 from which clepends a swinging clamping arm 62 having a large opening 63 therein which surrounds the shaft 32, being somewhat larger than the shaft as shown'in Figures 4 and 5. The lower end of the arm 62 is formed with a book 65, which, when the vulcanizer is closed, isadapted to engage hook 66 formed on the upper end of a stationary arm 67. The arm 67 is screwthreaded at its lower end and is provided with a nut 68 having a flange 69 thereon. The arm 67 is passed through a plate 64 which is secured to the lower or stationary section of the vulcanizer as shown at 70. The plate 64 is provided with flanges 71 which brace the arm 67, and is also provided on its under face with a keeper 72 which projects over the flange 69 the arm in its proper position, de termined by the adjustment of the nut 68. Attached to or forming a part of the arms 60 is a spring casing 7 5 having a coil spring 76 therein which bears upon an ear 7 8 formed on the swinging arm 62 so that the arm 62 is urged toward the left as viewed in Figures 4 and 5, or in position so that the right side of the aperture 63 bears against the shaft 32. This position of the parts is shown by the dotted line A in Figure 5 and will be maintained while the vulcanizer sections are unlocked and while the swinging section is raised as shown in Figure 2. Asthe swinging secpoint of engagement of the hooks 65 and 66, the spring 7 6 yielding so that the arm 62 will shiftuntil the left hand side of the hole ap- V proaches the" shaft 32 but does not contact with it. This movement. gives a very powerful leverage on the arm 62 and as the shaft 61 moves upwardly at the end of its movement, it securely draws together and clamps the upper and lower vulcanizer sections until the arm 62 assumes the position shown in full lines in Figure 5. This gives a powerful squeeze to hold the sections together at the center of the vulcanizer.

What is claimed is: 1 i

1. In a vulcanizer having a movable section, a rotary clamping ring on the movable section, and power operated mechanism for moving the clamping ring to a limited extent and subsequently to move the movable section.

i 2. In a I vulcanizer, a movable section, a rotary clamping ring on the'movablei section, a stop to limit the movement of the clamping ring,,and a single means to'rotate the clamping ring against the stop, and subsequently to move the movable section. v

3. In a vulcanizer, a stationary section and a movable section, a rotary clamping ring on the movable section to lock the section to the stationary section, a stop to limit the rotation of the clamping ringin itsunlocking movement, and power operated means to 1'0- tate the clamping ring, saidmeans operating in the direction of movement of the movable section and having a range of, movement greater than that required to rotate the ring.

4:. In a vulcanizer,

balance moves the, sections apartfiafter the ring has ceased to rotate.

6. In a vulcan1zer, a stationary section and amovable section, a clampin'g'ri'ng attached to the movable section and adapted to engage the stationary section, a power operated deable. section and having a secondary V swinging section, a rack on the ring,

, a stationary section and a movable section, a rotary clamping ring vice operating in the direction ofmovement of the movable section,

tion with the clamping ring to rotate a stop for preventing the rotation of the ring beyond a fixed point, which is effective prior to the complete movement of the power operated device.

7. In a vulcanizer, a movable section, a clamping ring rotatable about the movable. section, a power operated mechanism having; a connection to rotate the clamping ring, and a connected to the movconnecit, and 1 a 'stop forpreventing therotation of they 7 ring about the section beyond a fixed point, which stop is effective prior to the completion: of movement of the said mechanism, the subsequent movement of said mechanism moving the said section. 1 i

'8. In a vulcanizer, a stationary section and a swinging section, a clamping ring on the a shaft carried by the swinging section, a sector fixed to the shaft and in mesh with the rack,a stop to limit the rotary movement of the shaft and means connected to the shaft to rotate it until the stop becomes effective and subsequently to move the swinging section by the shaft. a

, 9. In a vulcanizer a stationary section and a swinging section, a shaft carried by the swinging section,a ring about the swinging section, a rack upon the ring, a sector on the shaft in mesh with the rack, a stop to halt the movement of the sector relative to the ring, an

arm carried by the shaft, and power operated device attached to the end of the arm.

10. In a vulcanizer a-movable section and a stationary section, a locking ring about the outer circumference of a section, a clamp operative upon the inner circumference of the sections, anda single power operated device to rotate the ring tolocking position and to engage the clamp.

11; In a vulcanizer a movable section and a stationary section, a locking ring about the outer circumference of a section, a rotary shaft on one section, connection from the shaft to the loclzingring, a hook carried by the shaft, and a complementary hook car-i ried by the other section, said hook being engaged simultaneously with the rotation of the locking ring.

12. In a vi ilcanizer sections, clampingdevice for said sections comprising a rigid hook on one section, a swinging hook on the other section said hooks being'located at the center of the vulcanizer, and power opera ted mechanism to engage the hooks an d draw the sections together.

13. In a vulcanizercomprising separable sections, clamping device for said sections comprising; a rigid hoolron one section, a shaft upon the other section, a hook carried by the shaft, and means to rotate the shaft comprising separable of engagement of thehooks for the hook located at the axis ivoted complcmentar hook on the other P i y section, said hooks being located at the center of the vulcanizer, and means to rock the pivoted hook into clamping engagement with the other hook.

15. In a vulcanizer comprising separable annular sections, an axial hook on one of the sections, a pivoted complementary hook on the othersection, and means to rock the pivoted hook upon one fulcrum until the hooks engage and for continuing the rocking movement after engagement of the hook, the fulcrum being transferred to the point clamping action.

16. In a vulcanizer comprising separable sections, a rigid hookon one section, a shaft upon the other section, arms carried by the shaft, a swinging hook on the arms, the shaft providing a fulcrum for the swinging hook until it engages the rigid hook, and yielding means permitting movement of the hook relative to the shaft.

17. Ina vulcanizer comprising separate sections, a hook on one section, a complementary swinging hook on the other section, and means to swing the latter hook until it engages the former and then to exert an outward pull on the latter hook to draw the sections together said hooks being located at the center of the mold.

18. In a vulcanizer comprising separable sections a single power operated device, clamping means for the outer circumference of the sections, clamping means for the inner circumference of the sections, and connections from the power operated device to lock both said clamping means while moving in one direction and to unlock the clamping means and subsequently separate the sections while moving in the opposite direction.

19. In a vulcanizer comprising separable sections, a'shaft on one section, means to rock the shaft, a clamping device for the inner circumference of the sections, and separate clamping devices for the outer circumference ofthe sections, both of said devices being locked by movement of the shaft.

20. In avulcanizer comprising separable sections, a shaft on one section, means to rock the shaft, a clamping device for the inner circumference of the sections, and sepa rate clamping devices for the outer circumference of the sections, both of said devices being locked by movement of the shaft in one direction and unlocked by a movement of the shaft in the opposite direction.

21. In a vulcanizer, a circular stationary section and a circular swinging section, a

of the stationary section, a complementary hook carried by the swinging into juxtaposition on the closing of the mold sections, means to bring said hooks into engagement, and thereafter to exert a clamping action on the mold after the hooks are engaged.

22. In a vulcanizer, a stationary annular section and a swinging annular section, a hook located on the stationary section at the center thereof, a complementary hook carried by the swinging section, the hooks being brought into juxtaposition on the closing of the mold sections, means to bring said hooks into engagement with each other, and thereafter to exert a clamping action on the mold after the hooks are engaged.

23. In a vulcanizer, a stationary section and a swinging section, a hook located on the stationary section, a second hook carried by the swinging section, means to move said sections to closed position, the hooks being brought into opposition in the closing of the mold, a rocking shaft to support one of said hooks, means to rock the shaft to bring the hooks first into locking engagement and then by continued movement to exert a squeeze upon the sections.

24. In a vulcanizer, a stationary section and a swinging section, a hook located on the stationary section, a secondhook carried by the swinging section, means to move said sections to closed position, the hooks being brought into opposition in the closing the mold, a rocking shaft to support one of said hooks, ni'eans to rock the shaft to bring the hooks first into locking engagement and then by continued movement to exert a squeeze upon the sections, the point of engagement of the hooks being located centrally of the sections.

25. In a vulcanizer, opposed annular mold sections movable toward and from each other, a hook upon one of the mold sections, a complementary hook upon the other mold section, said hooks being located at the axes of the mold sections, a lever mechanism con nected to one of said hooks, means to operate said lever mechanism to bring the hooks into engagement after the sections are closed, and to exert a pull upon said hooks to give a final squeeze to draw the sections together.

26. In a vulcanizer, opposed mold sections movable toward and from each other, at least one of the sections having a central opening, a hook carried by said section and projecting through the said central opening, a formation on the other section with which the hook is adapted to engage when the mold sections are brought together, lever mechanism connecting the sections to move the same and having a connection with the hook whereby the latter is operated after the closing of the mold sections to exert a squeeze thereon.

27. In a vulcanizer, opposed mold sections hinged together, a hook'carried by one sec- .tion and a formation on the-other section with which the hook is adapted toengage,

when the mold sections are brought together, a lever system connected to he sections and to the hook to swing 'oncof the sections againstv the opposite section, and operative thereafter first to engage thehooh andthen move the same toexert a final squeeze upon the mold sections. M e 28. in a vulcanizcr, a stationary annular lower section and a swinging upper section, a swinging hook dependent from he swinging section, and a formation attached to the lower section at the axis thereoi'with which said hook engages WhenJthe vulcaniser is closed. I

29. In a vulcanizer, a stationary section and a swinging section formed with aligned central openings, a swinging hook depending from the swinging section at the center and promoting therefrom, a formation in the central opening of the stationary section with which. the hook is adapted to engage when the sections are closed, and means to draw the sections together through the hook;

In a vulcanizer, a lower stationary section and an upper swinging section, a hook depending from the upper section at the center and projecting therefrom, a formation at the center of the stationary section with ich the hook is adapted to engage when the sections are closed, and lever means to lraw the sections together bythe hook.

31. In a vulcanizer, two sections toward and from one another, a hook at tachcd to one of the sections at the center and projecting therefrom," a formation at the center oi the other section with which the hook is adapted to engage when are closed, and lever means operative upon the hook to draw the sectionstogether.

In a vulcanizer, a stationary section,

and a pivoted section movable toward and away from the stationary section, a hydraulic cylinder, a grapple comprising hook devices located upon the stationary and pivoted sections respectively and adapted to engage, a lever mechanism actuated by the cylinder to swing the pivoted section against the stationary section to cause the hook de vices to engage and to exert a squeezing action through the said devices to force the sections together;

38. In a vulcanizer, a stationary section and pivoted section formed with aligned central o ienings, the pivoted section being movable toward and away from the stationary section, a hydraulic cylinder, a grapple comprising hook devices located upon the stationary and pivoted sections respectively and adapted to engage openings of the sections, a lever mechanism actuated by the cylinder to swing the pivoted section against the stationary section movable:

the sections through the central .to cause the hook devices to engage and to exert a squeezing action through the said devices to force the sections together.

34. A vulcamzer comprising two mold sections having central apertures located therein and movabletoward and from one another,

locking means for exerting a clamping action about the outer periphery of the mold and, additional locking means for exerting clamp in g action about the inner periphery thereof,

positive connections between the inner and outerlocking means, and a common actuating means for the inner and outer locking means.

35. A vulcanizer comprising two mold sec tions having central apertures located therein and movable toward and fromone another, a locking device for the outer periphery of the mold and-a second locking device for the inner periphery of the mold, positive connections between saidlocking devices, and

mechanism for exerting clamping force upon said locking devices simultaneously.

36. A 'vulcanizing press comprising mold sections, a pressure device for moving the sections toward and from one-another, supplementary locking devices adapted to squeeze themolds together after the operation of the pressure device, said locking devices comprising a plurality of clamps arranged about he outer periphery of the mold and about sinner periphery, and a single-power means operating the pressure device and the for lockingdevices.

37. ilQVHlCEtHlZlDg press comprising mold sections,;a pressure device for moving the sections toward and from one another, sup-' nlementar locltm devices ada vted to .L D

squeeze themolds together after the operation of the pressure device, said locking de vices comprisinga plurality of clamps ar ranged about the outer periphery of the mold and about its inner periphery, and means for operating the locking devices in unison.

88. A vulcanizing press comprising mold sections, a pressure device for moving the sections toward and from one another, sup-' v adapted to squeeze the molds together after the, operaplementary locking devices tion ofthe pressure device, said locking devices comprising a plurality of clamps arranged about he outer periphery of the mold and about its inner periphery and certain of saidlocliing deviceshaving wedging surfaces thereon, and a single power means for operating the pressure device and the locking devices.

89. A vulcaniaing press comprising mold sections, a pressure-device for moving the, sections toward and from one another, supplementary locking devices adapted to squeeze the molds together after the operation of thepressure device, said locking devices comprising a plurality of clamps ar:

ranged about the outer periphery of the mold and about its inner periphery and certain of said locking devices having wedging surfaces thereon, and means for operating the locking devices in unison.

40. A vulcanizer comprising two mold sections having central apertures located therein and movable toward and from one another, locking means for exerting a clamping action about the outer periphery of the mold and additional locking means about the inner periphery thereof, means for actuating one of said locking means and positive connections between said inner and outer locking means whereby movement of one locking means causes simultaneously movement of the other.

41. A vulcanizing press comprising a relatively fixed annular platen and a relatively swinging annular platen, and mechanism connected with the swinging platen for moving the same toward and from the fixed platen, said mechanism being capable of limited lost motion virtue of said lost motion, said locking means I being controlled by said mechanism connected with the swingingplaten.

42. A vulcanizmg press comprising a pear of platens hingedly connected together, each of said platens carrying a mold section detachably secured thereto, mechanism for swinging one of said platens toward and away from the other, centrally located locking means carried by the swinging platen 0perated by said swinging mechanism, means fixed to the other platen adapted to'be engaged by locking means, and means associated with the swinging mechanism to disengage the two locked platens.

43. A vulcanizing press comprising a pair of opposed annular platens hingedly connected together, fluid-pressure actuated mechanism for swinging one of said platens toward and away from the other, mechanism carried by said swinging platen in the central opening thereof operated by the fluid pressure mechanism for locking the swin ing platen to the other platen, and means carried by said locking mechanism and controlled by said fluid-pressure mechanism whereby the two platens may be unlocked.

44. A vuleanizing press comprising relatively movable annular platens operable into cooperation with each other, power operated means for moving said platens toward and from each other, relatively movable interengaging locking means extending into the central openings of the platens, one of said locking means being shiftably mounted on a movable platen, means operable by movement of the platens into cooperation relatively to move said locking means into engagement with reference to the swinging platen, together with locking means carvulcanizer by movement of said shiftable power means for drawing the gether under pressure through locking means.

45. A vulcanizing. press comprising annular platens hinged for relative movement to and from cooperation with each other, a locking means shiftably mounted on a movable platen in the central opening thereof, a locking means mounted so as to extend into the central opening of the other platen, power operated mechanism for moving said platens to and from cooperation, means for shifting the first-named locking means into locked engagement with the second-named locking means as the platens are moved into cooperation, and meansoperable by said powor means for drawing said platens together under pressure through said engaged locking means.

46. A vulcanizer comprising relatively movable annular platens hinged together at the rear, power operated means at the rear of said platens for opening and closing the same, inter-engaging means extending through the central opening of the vulcanizer for locking the sections together, means operable by closing of the "ulcanizer to interengage said locking means, and means operable by said power-operatingineans as the vulcanizer closes for drawing said sections together through said locking means.

47. In a vulcanizer comprising separable, annular sections, a clamping device for said sections at the axis thereof, said device com prising a swinging hook on one of said sections, anda formation on the other section with which said hook en ages when the vol canizer is closed.

FLOBAIN J. SHOOK.

platens tosaid inter- 

